Shelf with tilt down front for freezer

ABSTRACT

A shelf structure for use in a cabinet such as a freezer cabinet having a removable upright front panel for selectively arranging the shelf as a basket-type shelf and an open-type shelf. The means for connecting the panel to the shelf moves rearwardly of the front edge of the shelf during removal therefrom so as to guide articles on the shelf away from the front edge during such removal. The panel is pivotally mounted on the shelf to swing to a horizontal position wherein it comprises a loading, or unloading table for facilitated transfer of the articles relative to the freezer compartment. In one form, the connector is arranged to permit removal and installation of the panel in a vertical disposition. In another form, the connector is arranged to permit removal and installation of the panel in a horizontal position, thus allowing the panel to serve as a tray for carrying the articles to and from the freezer for further facilitated transfer.

United States Patent MS U N m W m mm n WP w s.. N ne .m hdm nmmE AKD O 665 556 999 H 708 25 649 .9 772 560 223 m n D Ru w 8-" s hsm Me .nv CESHM r Q m e Ww V D. .m AF l ll 2 2 7 22 l ll [45] Patented Dec.7,l97l

00 5 5. HH I] d 22 W t C C M m m & n" n n mm .m mm m n n .Il-ul ufluh m h. l rrB BB A tt 33 m CC 0" rr 06 m% 89 44 n uu l r oze 5 n 03 mm l2 no 66 nu PA o .mN 0d Nw Lb in n 9 .mm t nm75 .m L m. n. 3 1 r A w n r0 0 nh h COu fiJk muoi u. h n P .um u MO-MM C6T e e n 8 m S A T 7 l ABSTRACT: A shelf structure for use in a cabine freezer cabinet having a removable u t such as a pright front panel for [54] SHELF WITH TILT DOWN FRONT FOR FREEZER selectively arranging the shelf as a basket-type shelf and an open-type shelf. The m 8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

tion wherein it comprises a loadin facilitated transfer of the articles re 134, 150, I26, 181, l48;3l2/3l3, 311,310, 35];

108/90 157 partment. In one form, the connector is arran removal and installation of the panel in a vertical disposition. in another form. the connector is arranged to permit removal and installation of the panel in a horizontal position thus allowing the panel to serve as a tray for carrying the articles to and from the freezer for further facilitated transfer.

3 Smm mm NU" mmm m mm I. P H C m ENh mT mm "T8 am NM ew wow 87 77 O5 l mu 6 l. H 2 2 PATENTED DEC 71911 SHEET 1 0F 2 PATENIEnnEc 1m 3625Q371 sum 2 m2 SHELF WITH TILT DOWN FRONT FOR FREEZER This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 654,400, filed July 19, 1967, now abandoned.

This invention relates to shelf structures and in particular to convertible shelf structures.

In apparatus such as home freezers, the frozen food products, or articles, are carried on a plurality of shelves vertically spaced within the freezer compartment. For facilitated storage of the articles, baskets may be utilized in lieu of shelves thereby permitting more complete use of the refrigerated space while yet preventing spillage of the articles therefrom when the door thereto is opened. The present invention comprehends an improved shelf structure having a removable upright front panel effectively defining with the shelf a basket-type article-holding means while being removable therefrom to pennit the shelf to be utilized as a conventional flat shelf structure. Further, the present invention comprehends a shelf structure arranged to define a front located table for use during transfer of articles relative to the freezer space.

Thus, a principal feature of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved shelf structure.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such a shelf structure having a removable front panel means for selectively converting the shelf from a basket-type structure to an open flat structure as desired.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such a shelf structure wherein the panel means is arranged to define a front table on which articles may be placed during transfer to and from the freezer space.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of such a shelf structure wherein the panel is adapted for use as a tray in carrying the articles to and from the freezer during such transfer.

A yet further feature of the invention is the provision of such a shelf structure wherein the means for connecting the panel removably to the shelf is arranged to permit the shelf to be connected while in a horizontal position whereby the articles may be maintained thereon in converting the panel between the tray and table forming arrangements. A further feature of the invention is the provision of such a shelf structure wherein the connecting means requires the panel to be moved rearwardly of the front edge during the removal thereof from the freezer compartment thereby to urge articles on the shelf rearwardly of the front edge and effectively prevent spillage thereof during removal of the panel.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of such a shelf structure having new and improved means for connecting the panel to the shelf.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. I is a vertical elevation partially in section of a freezer provided with a shelf structure embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shelf structure;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation of the shelf illustrating the connection of the panel to the shelf;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view of the shelf;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary right side elevation of the shelf;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5 illustrating the arrangement of the panel as during removal thereof from the shelf;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of the shelf with the panel in the table-forming, horizontal position;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation of a modified form of shelf structure embodying the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8 illustrating the removal of the panel for use as a tray while maintained in a horizontal position.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawing, a freezer 10 is shown to comprise a cabinet 11 defining a freezer compartment 12 selectively closed by a front door 13. Disposed within the freezer compartment 12 are a plurality of shelf structures generally designated 14 embodying the invention. As shown in FIG. 2, each shelf structure 14 includes a shelf 15 having a front edge 16 and a panel 17 upstanding from the front edge portion 16. The panel is removably secured to the shelf by means of a pair of allochiral connectors generally designated 18. As shown, each of shelf 15 and panel 17 may comprise a wire grid member for facilitated freezer airflow therethrough.

Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the connector 18 includes a bracket 19 having a bottom plate 20 which is welded or otherwise affixed to the wires 21 of the shelf 15 as at 22 in FIG. 4. As best shown in FIG. 5, the bracket 19 further includes an upright end plate 23 having a lower rearwardly opening slot 24 provided at its inner end with a downtumed leg 25, and an upper forwardly opening slot 26 provided at its rearward end with a downtumed leg 27. The end plate 23 is further provided with a rearwardly open ing notch 28 above the slot 24. The lower end of slot leg 25 is rounded to define a journal 29.

A latch member generally designated 30 is welded to the panel as at 31 in FIG. 5 and includes an upright portion 32 having an out-tumed tab 33 formed thereon. The tab is removably receivable in the downtumed leg 27 of slot 26 in the installed arrangement of the panel as shown in FIG. 5. A pivot post 34 extends through the latch member and is rotatably carried in the journal 29 as shown in FIG. 5. An arm 35 extends rearwardly from the latch member portion 30 to have a turned stop 36 at the distal end thereof disposed rearwardly of the bracket 19 adjacent the shelf 15 in the installed arrangement of the panel as shown in FIG. 5.

As indicated briefly above, the panel 17 is removably secured to the shelf 15 by means of the connector 18. The removable connection is best seen with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Thus, in the installed arrangement, the panel is retained in the upright position overlying front edge 16 with the pivot 34 retained in the journal 29 and the tab 33 retained in the slot leg 27. To remove the panel 17, the user need merely raise the panel to remove the tab 33 from the slot 27 permitting the panel to be swung forwardly (in a counterclockwise direction as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6) to dispose the tab 33 forwardly of the end plate 23 and to permit the pivot post 34 to be raised to the level of the horizontal slot portion 24. The panel is then reswung to the substantially vertical position and moved rearwardly whereby the post 34 moves rearwardly outwardly from the slot 24. In so moving rearwardly, articles (not shown) on the shelf 15 closely adjacent front edge 16 are urged rearwardly therefrom to preclude spillage thereof upon subsequent removal of the panel upwardly and forwardly from the shelf.

Alternatively, should the user not wish to remove the panel, but merely utilize the panel as a table for use in facilitating transfer of articles relative to the freezer chamber 12, after the tab 33 is moved forwardly from slot 26 the panel may be pivoted further forwardly (in a counterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 5) to asubstantially horizontal position wherein the pivot post 34 remains retained in journal 29, and stop 36 engages notch 28 for efiectively positively retaining the panel in the horizontal table position on the front edge of the shelf. So arranged, the panel permits articles to be placed thereon during the transfer of the articles, effectively defining an extension of the shelf 15 during such transfer operation.

When it is desired to restore the panel to the upright basket forming position, the user merely swings the panel in a clockwise direction from the position of FIG. 7 to the position of FIG. 5 with the tab 33 being cammed into the slot leg 27 by an inclined camming surface 37 at the front end of the slot 26.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, a modified form of connector 118 is shown to comprise a connector generally similar to connector 18, but having a rearward extension of the portion above the slot 124 cut short to terminate at a rear edge 138 at a distance from front edge 139 of end plate 123 less than the spacing between tab 133 and pivot post 134.

Thus, connector 118 functions generally similar to connector 18 in the selective disposition thereof in the vertical and horizontal positions, but further permits the removal of panel 117 from shelf 115 while the panel is maintained in a substantially horizontal position. Thus, the user may swing the panel to the horizontal position place the articles thereon which he wishes to transfer from the freezer and then merely lift the panel, so that stop 136 clears notch 128, to bring the pivot post 134 in line with the slot portion 124, move the panel rearwardly while maintained in a substantially horizontal position with the articles retained thereon until the pivot post 134 clears the rear surface 138 whereupon the panel may be raised vertically to disengage latch member 130 from bracket 119. Thus, the articles may be retained on the panel and the panel then used as a tray in carrying the articles from the freezer. Reversely, the disengaged panel may be used as a tray for bringing articles to the freezer with the connector 118 permitting the tray to be connected to the shelf while being maintained substantially in the horizontal position whereupon the tray is converted to the loading table permitting the user to transfer the articles therefrom onto the shelf and upon completion of this operation swing the table to the upright basket-forming front panel position.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

lclaim:

l. A shelf structure comprising: a shelf having a front edge portion; a front panel having a rear edge portion; and means removably connecting said rear edge portion of the panel to said front edge portion of the shelf including a first connector portion on said shelf and a second connector portion on said panel cooperatively defining means for selectively (a) releasably locking the panel in an upright position, (b) releasably retaining the panel in a forwardly extending horizontal position, and (c) permitting said panel to be separated from said shelf by body movement thereof while substantially only horizontal and with said first connector portion fixedly retained on said shelf.

2. The shelf structure of claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises means for pivotally mounting said front portion of the panel on said front edge portion of said shelf and means for latching the panel thereon perpendicularly to said shelf.

3. The shelf structure of claim 1 wherein said panel comprises a wire grid structure.

4. The shelf structure of claim 1 wherein said shelf comprises a wire grid structure.

5. The shelf structure of claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes a bracket fixedly secured to said shelf, means on said panel for pivotally mounting said panel to said bracket, and latch means fixedly secured to said panel for releasably preventing pivotal movement of said panel on said shelf.

6. A shelf structure comprising:

a shelf having a front edge portion;

a front panel; and

means for removably securing the front panel to said front edge portion of the shelf in an upright position to define means for retaining articles on said shelf rearwardly thereof, and upon removal thereof from said shelf said panel-defining tray means for carrying articles to and from said shelf, said securing means including a bracket fixedly secured to said shelf, means on said panel for pivotally mounting said panel to said bracket, and latch means fixedly secured to said panel for releasably preventing pivotal movement of said panel on said shelf, said bracket including a slot and said latch means including a tab removably received in said slot.

7. A shelf structure comprising:

a shelf having a front edge portion;

afront anel; and means or removably securing the front panel to said front edge portion of the shelf in an upright position to define means for retaining articles on said shelf rearwardly thereof, and upon removal thereof from said shelf said panel-defining tray means for carrying articles to and from said shelf, said securing means including means requiring the panel to be moved to rearwardly of said front edge portion of the shelf during removal to urge articles on the shelf rearwardly from said front edge as an incident of removal of the panel from the shelf.

8. A shelf structure comprising:

a shelf having a front edge portion;

a front panel;

means for removably securing the front panel to said front edge portion of the shelf in an upright position to define means for retaining articles on said shelf rearwardly thereof, and upon removal thereof from said shelf said panel-defining tray means for carrying articles to and from said shelf; and

means requiring the lower edge of the panel to be moved successively upwardly from and rearwardly of said front edge of the shelfduring removal ofthe panel. 

1. A shelf structure comprising: a shelf having a front edge portion; a front panel having a rear edge portion; and means removably connecting said rear edge portion of the panel to said front edge portion of the shelf including a first connector portion on said shelf and a second connector portion on said panel cooperaTively defining means for selectively (a) releasably locking the panel in an upright position, (b) releasably retaining the panel in a forwardly extending horizontal position, and (c) permitting said panel to be separated from said shelf by body movement thereof while substantially only horizontal and with said first connector portion fixedly retained on said shelf.
 2. The shelf structure of claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises means for pivotally mounting said front portion of the panel on said front edge portion of said shelf and means for latching the panel thereon perpendicularly to said shelf.
 3. The shelf structure of claim 1 wherein said panel comprises a wire grid structure.
 4. The shelf structure of claim 1 wherein said shelf comprises a wire grid structure.
 5. The shelf structure of claim 1 wherein said connecting means includes a bracket fixedly secured to said shelf, means on said panel for pivotally mounting said panel to said bracket, and latch means fixedly secured to said panel for releasably preventing pivotal movement of said panel on said shelf.
 6. A shelf structure comprising: a shelf having a front edge portion; a front panel; and means for removably securing the front panel to said front edge portion of the shelf in an upright position to define means for retaining articles on said shelf rearwardly thereof, and upon removal thereof from said shelf said panel-defining tray means for carrying articles to and from said shelf, said securing means including a bracket fixedly secured to said shelf, means on said panel for pivotally mounting said panel to said bracket, and latch means fixedly secured to said panel for releasably preventing pivotal movement of said panel on said shelf, said bracket including a slot and said latch means including a tab removably received in said slot.
 7. A shelf structure comprising: a shelf having a front edge portion; a front panel; and means for removably securing the front panel to said front edge portion of the shelf in an upright position to define means for retaining articles on said shelf rearwardly thereof, and upon removal thereof from said shelf said panel-defining tray means for carrying articles to and from said shelf, said securing means including means requiring the panel to be moved to rearwardly of said front edge portion of the shelf during removal to urge articles on the shelf rearwardly from said front edge as an incident of removal of the panel from the shelf.
 8. A shelf structure comprising: a shelf having a front edge portion; a front panel; means for removably securing the front panel to said front edge portion of the shelf in an upright position to define means for retaining articles on said shelf rearwardly thereof, and upon removal thereof from said shelf said panel-defining tray means for carrying articles to and from said shelf; and means requiring the lower edge of the panel to be moved successively upwardly from and rearwardly of said front edge of the shelf during removal of the panel. 